I was surprised, thought he would be all about Louie, be he wasn't. He was constructive, not vicious like the one last year, er what was his name?

I was impressed - such a relief to hear constructive advice given without seeking to draw attention to himself.

I thought Louie was a great addition to the panel, and it wasn't a surprise really - I knew he would be very knowledgable about the dance side of things. He gave good, detailed critiques without being bland or borderline offensive.

In future shows I hope he will explain some of his dance terminology though!

He's awful.

Can't understand what he's even saying 90% of the time.

The trouble with Louie's approach is that it's a bit one-dimensional. I can appreciate that he "doesn't care about crossovers like Katarina", however if one is seriously wobbly on one's blades one's "port de bras" is unlikely to look delightful and one's "broken wrist" is more likely to be an injury than an artistic move! The other two do focus on skating but on presentation as well so I think it would be useful for Louis to focus on the ice-work a little too.

He has to be careful or he will have people complaining about what he is doing commenting on it when he knows nothing about skating - so he's being defensive and sticking to a narrow focus. He ought to be able to say, though, that something was slow compared to its music or that someone is wobbly, and he does implicitly comment on the skating when he talks about whats being done in the way of being in sync, lifts, spins and tricks and on how well girls transition into and out of lifts.

If Louie started to critique the more detailed, technical aspects of skating, he might find himself in trouble, but everyone sitting at home can spot a wobbly, pedestrian performance, so a judge who isn't strictly a skating judge shouldn't be afraid to admit he's noticed.

I was glad that Louie had toned things down from what I've seen of him elsewhere. He was a little bit "look at me" with how he gave his comments, but it's early days. Any new judge is going to take a few weeks to find their level.

Absolutely. Leave the comments on use of edges etc. to Katarina and Robin, but Louie should feel free to comment on speed and fluidity over the ice, use of space in the rink etc - in fact Nicky tended to focus a lot on those aspects when he was around and I think it's safe middle ground no matter which "side" of the panel -technique or performance - you're on. Agree also that it's something viewers can relate with whether they have skating knowledge or not, and so could help them in their own assessment of routines. I still remember comments Nicky made when commentating on competitive skating (for ITV I think, before he went to Eurosport) and as a result I always end up looking at what skaters are doing with their feet, whatever level they are at!

He is welcome in that he replaced that odius turd Jason. There is no doubt that he knows what he is talking about relative to dance. He will become more knowledgeable about the skating aspects as he goes on. I wish he were a little less camp and I do struggle a bit with his lisp, but that is something that he has to sadly bear.

I hope that the producers do not try to influence how the judges react, like asking him to be a bit more ferocious, or Katarina to be a bit more concise. The new panel brings a fresh aspect to the show and it is better for it.

The only things that spoil the show now is the irritatingly long wait for the results, five seconds is quite enough, and the flying, which we know will come as the show is wedded to that infernal trapeze.

The flying was thankfully ditched from the final last year - would be surprised to see it back.

Same here. Admittedly, I looked forward to seeing Louie on the panel with an "I don't care who or what the 3rd judge is, as long as it's not Jason" attitude, but he's really won me over with his considered, realistic and professional critique.

He is ok so far. I am unsure about Katarina but willing to give her a chance to prove herself too.

I usually can't stand him but he toned down his "louis spence act" and became a choreographer and dancer rather than sticking his leg in the air and twirling about instead of doing his job so I actually thought he did a good job without the whole character he seems to have created on Pineapple!!

Louie was brought on to comment from the choreography POV and this is somethig he does know about.

for all us Louie fans out there - his autobiog is worth a quick look. Shows what hard graft there is behind the camp

http://www.google.co.uk/products/cat...d=0CEMQ8wIwAQ#

Louis has shown himself to be a very fair judge giving good and clear constructive criticism.

I really like him. Like others have said, I wasn't sure how he would be because of his flamboyance but he's great and for me he makes the show enjoyable to watch again. ITV have struck gold. It's good that he's said he's going to leave all the technical comments to Robin and Katarina and he will comment on the performance.

I like Katerina Whitt too.

I'm absolutely loving Louie Spence. He takes the role seriously but has fun too. I like the panel this year, Katarina is brilliant too.

The panel will give comments that come from different angles and Louie wanted everyone to be aware of where he'd come from everytime and he's good and valid with what he states, and leaves the other areas for Kat and Robin.

Dancing on Ice is now a much better show thanks to Louie Spence, its worth watching again now.

I think Louie has been a really positive addition to the panel.

He gives a constructive critique without resorting to personal insults for the sake of controversy. He seems like a lovely man and it is so much better without Jason and Emma Bunton.

Very well put.

I haven't been able to read the whole thread, but I want to add to people who say his constructive approach is preferable. Theses shows don't need a pantomime villain, and his conduct proves it. I like him.

Loving him tbh. He's been a brilliant judge so far, over all we have a really good panel this year!

I couldn't agree with you more, the day of the pantomime villain judging on entertainment shows is so over.

Many people have said that they are indispensable, but Louie has proved them all wrong, so much so that I can't even remember the name of the nasty guy that used to be on the show.

I've been pleasantly surprised by Louie too!! I thought he would be too over the top and would get on my nerves, however I'm happy to admit that he is actually doing a great job and just giving good honest criticsm without being nasty like a certain former DOI Judge!!!!